Gaff hook



Aulg. ll`, 1931. A, c, GoUGHj I GAFF HooK` Filed Aug. -10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l mmm A. C. GOUGH Aug. 1l, 1931.

GAFF HOOK l2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. l0. 1928 ...1. Il .w .74

Patented Aug. l11, 1931 PATENT OFFICE ACHILLES C. GOUGH, OF POCATELLO, IDAHO GAFI? I-IOOK Application led August 10, 1928. Serial No. 298,777.

The first object of the invention is to provide a new and improved gafi hook that may be used for gafling all sizes of gamelish with -a maximum of ease and convenience.

A further object in view is to provide a new and improved means in combination with an improved gaif hook for pruning or pulling down branches with which a fresh water lure may have become entangled during the act of casting, or for cutting or pulling roots or branches with which the said lure may become entangled during'the act of retrieving. j A still further object in View is to provide a new and improved combination gaiil hook and pruning hook of such design and construction that the device may be folded into a compact and convenient form for carry ing while the same is not in active use, and that the staff may be instantly and easily extended to full length when it is desired to use the said device for any of the various purposes to which it is adapted. Another object in view is to provide improved means for carrying a new and improved folding gaff hook, whereby the same may be carried in a variety of positions according to the convenience and wishes of the user. Other objects will appear as the devscription proceeds.V

In Ythe paccompanying drawings which form a part of my application- Figure 1 1s a side elevational view of my improved combination gait' hook vand retrieving hook showing it in extended form ready for use. i

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of my improved combination gaif hook and retrieving hoolr folded in a convenient form for carrying, when the same is not in active use.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section showing in detail one form of the gaff hook proper and adjacent parts of my improved combination gaff hoolr and retrieving hook.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section showing in detail the improved joint which provides for folding the staff sections of my improved combination gaff hook and retrieving hoolL Figure 5 is an enlargedV fragmentary view partly in section of the grip at the end of the handle provided for convenience in manipulation of my improved combination gaff hook and retrieving hook.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section showing in detail the Y gait hook proper and the adjacent `parts of a slightly different form of my improved com- Y bination gaif hook and retrieving hook.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view` partly in section showing in detail a slightly different form of the improved joint which provides for folding the staff sections of my improved combination gan hook and retrievinfr hook.

Figures 8 and respectively, of the carrying hooln Like characters of reference are used throughout the following specification and accompanying drawings to designate corresponding parts.

In the particular embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings l indicates the gajff hoolr proper while 2 indicatesthe hook bearing section of the handle to which the hook l is attached and 3 represents the handle-bearing section of the staff. A grip consisting of two parts ,tand 5 is secured at the upper end of part 3.

The form of staff sections shown in Figure 4 are connected by an improved joint which will be described as follows:

The hoolr and handle bearing sections 2 andv 3 have suitably fastened to their adjacent ends reinforcing ferrules 6 and 7 respectively. The free ends of these ferrules' are provided with apertured ears carrying pins 9 and l0 to which are pivoted the ends of a link 8. A thimble 11 is slidably mounted over the ferrules 6 and 7 and the link 8. The end ofthe thimble presented to the hook bearing` section 2 is rolled outwardly to form a seat for one end of the compression spring l2 which encircles the thimble and is received at its opposite end in a conjunctive support ing part or openended casing 13.

"When the parts 2 and 3 are made of ileXible metal the ferrules 6 and 7 and the element 13 may be secured to them by means of sol'- 9 are front and side views,

dering or brazing. The outside diameter of the ferrule 6 and corresponding insidel diameter of the thimble 11 may be made substantially greater than the corresponding dimension of the ferrule 7, so as to provide a stop to limit the movement of the thimble 11 by thespring- 12. iVhen the parts 2 and 3 are made of Wood, as in Fig., 7, the met-al ferrules 6 and 7 may be secured to them, respectively, bv means of rivets 14 and 15. In either case, the thimble may be stopped in its movement by a projection 16 from the Wall of the part 6, as shown in this figure.

A gaff hook having tivo or more points nay be used, and the points of the hook should be reduced and provided with small barbs, see 17 and 18, Figures 1 2, 3. andl G. I secure tlre gaif hook at the outer end of part 2 in such relation to its conjunctive parts that the shank 19. of' the hook, or one of theV hooks, may function as a back-spring for the knife blade, or pruning hook 2O which is mounted,l over, or beside the gaff hook 1. The part 20 is carried, When not in active use, in a folded position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the said part is supported inl that relation by means of the elastic force exerted bythe shank 19.- against the point 2l. l-Vhen it is desired to use the part 20- for pruning a branch above or below the surface of the Water, With which the fresh Water lurehas become entangled', the said part may be opened to the position. shown in- Fig'uil@ 3- When the plflt 20 is in use the torce. applied Will cause the said part to swing slightly further around the rivet 22l until the shank 19 is forced against the inner Wall at23; of the tip-24.

To avoid makin-g. the other portions of the tip, 2.4 excessively heavy the outer end of the saine may be reinforced, as shown at 23,

,Figures 2 and 3 and the rivet 22v for the part 20; mounted thereon. Nhen the section 2 is ni-ade of flexible metal tubing the end- 25 of the gaif hook and the end 26. of thef tip 24 may be secured to the said tubing by solde-n ing 'or brazingf. -Yhen the sectionl 2 is made of Wood the end 26 of the tip7 24, see Figui-e 6', may be secured to the saine by means of a rivet 2T", and. the hook 1 may be secured by means of another rivet 28 which passes through the.- tip. 2 4 a-nd an eye, or loop 29; of said hook.

The grips 4; and 5' be either cork or I wood, When the handle is made of Wood the parts 4, 5I and 30 may be integral, and the 'same may be secured to section '3. in any conimon. mannerlhen the sections 2 and 3 are made of metal it is desirable to use cork grips 4 and 5, large enough to float the device. he surface of the grip. may be smooth as shown in Figures 1 and 2, .or the said sur-face may be scored as shown at 5, Figure 5. The part 4 serves. anotherI purpose that it sheathes,

' lor protects the points of the gait hook. The

block 30 is partially or Wholly covered by a close fitting metal piece 31 Which is cut at one place to form a lip offset from a flattened portion of the block to form a recess 32 which receives the cross part of the hook 1 when the said hook is not in active use. The hook 1 is held securely in place Within the recess 32 by means of the tension of the compression coil spring 12.

The hook 33 and the sling 34 are provided for carrying the device. The carrying hook 33 is formed from a Wire having suitable 'physical characteristics for this purpose. The eyes in the ends 35 and 36 on the said hook should' not tit loosely on the cord, small, fiat ortivisted chain or strap 34,l but may slip easily when the ends 35 and 36 are pressed together until they coincide. The said hook Will be retainedin. any desired position upon the said cord, or strapby means of the binding actionE between the, ends 3,5Y and 3.6. The upper end of the sling 34 may be connected at 37 and the other end may be connected at 38, as shown. v

My improved combination gaff hook and retrieving hook may be operated advantageously as follows:

To unfold the device, grasp the part 5 in the handivith the gafi' hook 1 turned down- Ward and place the tip of a finger against the cross part of the hook 1 at the point 3 9,l Fig.

2 pressing with the finger upon the hook atv be allowed to swing downward and'forivard until part 2 comes into. alignment with part v. 3 which will, permit the compression spring 12 to force the locking thiinble 11 into place, thus rigidly locking the parts 2 and 3 in alignment. The handle of this device folds in one direction only. In the other direction,l movement of the part 2k is limited by contact of the ends of the link 8 with the adjacent parts of the ferrules4 6. and 7,., as. shown at 40 and 41. To fold the device, grasp. with one hand the gri-p 5, the gaff hook 1 being turned ldownward, then grasp the other hand the outer end of thimble 11 and pull the lsame iback towards part 13 until the part 8. is free,k

when the part 2 will swing downward, Then,

part 2 may be grasped by the hand andthe cross part o-f the hook 1 returned tothe re-, cess 32. Y

The gait hooks of a size suitable for ing large fish are not suited for gaiiing very small fish, as the hooks may pass over, or around the small fish Without penetration. This common diiicult-y may be removed by adding more points to the gaif hook. If the points of a multiple pointed gaff hook be provided with only small barbs the same may be removed from the sh that has been gaed Without diiiculty and without much injlu-ry to the appearance of the same, and the smaller, sharper points renders it practicable to gaff the smaller sizes of fish. After the device has been unfolded, it may be used in the same manner as a gaif hook of the common type, except the multiple number of points of the hook will render it possible to strike a small fish more surely than can be done with a hook having only one point.

The knife, or. pruning hook 2O may be opened in the same manner as the blade of a common knife. The eXtra length of the staff 'of the device when extended makes it possible to reach to a considerable height above 'the surface of the water or below the surface of the water to release an entangled lure, by cutting off or pulling within reach the offending branches or roots.

i The device, when folded, may be easily attached to the belt of the user or to the fish Abasket .harness by means of the hook 33, and the same may be applied or removed with tlie ilse of only one hand. Under conditions lwhere the device is being used with greater frequency, the same may be carried, or supported by placing the sling 34 over the wrist or forearm of the user.

It will be evident that a gaff hook of the type disclosed may have a universal application and the retrieving hook will be useful on streams or lakes having brush along the banks, but the retrieving implement may be omitted and other changes and detail of construction may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

l. A. gaif hook comprising a pair of pivotally connected staff sections, a double grip handle formed on one section, a hook carried by the other section and located a proper distance from the point of pivotal connection for said sections to position the hook between said grips when the sections are folded, and means positioned between and spacing the elements of the double grip for releasably securing the hook to the staff when in its folded position.

2. A gaff hook comprising a pair of pivotally connected staff sections, a double grip handle formed on one section, a hook carried by the other section and located a proper distance from the point of pivotal connection for said sections to position the hook between said grips when the sections are folded, and means for reasonably securing the hook to the staff when in its folded position, said means comprising a block on the staff and having a iattened portion, and a metal piece having a lip offset from and overlying said attened portion.

3. In a folding gaff hook, the combination with a hook having a resilient shank, means for supporting the hook, of a retrieving tool comprising a folding blade mounted to engage the shank of said hook, to .place the said shank under tension, means carried by the tool for enOa inv' the tension hook shank to having sections connected by a double piv-` oted link and locking means for holding the sections` extended, said meansconiprising a thimble encircling the staff and movable into and out of a position enclosing said link and the adjacent ends of. the staff sections, ran abutment on said thimble, a second abutment on the staff, a stop carried by one of the staff sections and engaging the second abutment to limit the movement of the thimble and a spring encircling -the thimble and bearing at its ends against said abutments to normally locate the tliimble in the aforesaid position.

5. A hoo-kcomprising a folding staff having sections connected by a double pivoted link and locking means for holding the sections extended, said means comprising a tliimble encircling the staff and movable into and out of a position enclosing said link 1 and the adjacent ends of the staff sections, an abutment on said thimble, a second abutment on the staff, and a spring encircling the thimble and bearing at its ends against said abutments to normally locate the thimble in the aforesaid position, the second abutment comprising an open ended casing for partially housing the spring. f

6. A gaff hook comprising a folding staff having sections connected by a double pivoted link, and locking means for holdingthe sections extended, said means comprising a thimble encircling the staff and movable into and out of a position enclosing said link and the adjacent ends of the staff sections, said thimble having an outwardly rolled end to form a. combined abutment and operating grip, a second abutment on the staff, and a spring encircling the tliiinble and bearing at its ends against said abutinents to normallyV locate the thimble in the aforesaid position.

A gaff hook comprising a folding staff having sections connected by double pivoted link, and locking means for holding` the sections extended, said means comprising a thimble encircling the staff and movable into and out of a position enclosing said link and the adjacent ends of the staff sections, said thimble having an outwardly rolled end to form a combined abutment and operating grip, a second abutment on the staff, anda spring encircling the tliimble and bearing at its ends against said abutments to normally locate the thiinble in the aforesaid position, the second abutment comprising an open ended casing for partially housing the spring.

8. A gaif hook comprising a folding staff having sections connected by fer-miles whichV are mounted on the adjacent ends of the sec-` tions, a link pivoted to saidi 'errules, andi locking means fon holding the sections ex- 5 tended', saict means comprising a thimble en-. circling the staff and' mov-able into and out of a position enclosing said link and the adjacent ends of the staff` sections, an abutment -on saidf thimble, a second abutment on the lrstaii' constituting a partial housing for a spring, anda springV encircling the thimb-le and beating at its ends against said abut- Inents to normally locate the thimble in the aforesaid position.

9; A gatf hook comprising a folding staif having sections connected! byl a double pivoted link and locking means f0.1? holding the sections extended, said means comprising a thimbleencircling the staff and movable. into (bind out of a position enclosing said link and the adjacent ends of the staif sections, an abutment on said thi mble, a second abutment ony the staff constituting a. partial' housing foi1v a spring, andV a spring encircling the thimble ind' bearing at its endsk against said abutments to. normally locate the t-himbl'e in the aforesaid position, andi means for limiting the movement of the thimble under the influence ofthe spring 10. A gaif hook comprising a pair of pivotally connected staff sections, a double gri-p handle foimed on one section, a hook carried by the other section and located a proper distance from the point of pivotal connection kfor said sections to position the hook between said' grips when the sections are folded, and means for releasably securing the hook to the staff' When in its folded position', said means comp-rising a block conjunctive to the said grips andf concentric with the staff having a flat side, and a metal piece on said block having a lip shaped to form a recess bet-Ween the said fiattened side and the lip.

1l. A gaif hook comprising a pair of pivot- 45 allgT connected staff' sections, a handle formed on one section, ahook carried by the other section and located a properdistance from the point of pivotal connection for said sections toY position the hook below the main grip of the said handle when the sections are folded, and means for releasa-bly securing thel hook tothe stad When in its folded position, said means comprising a block contiguous to the said main grip and concentric with the said? staff having a flat side, and a metal piece on said block having a lip shaped to form av recess therebetween and the said flat side.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

0f Aon-ILLES e. consu. 

